North Toole County High School

Teri Lee Iverson

The annual Sunburst Gala Days Parade and auction will possibly be held at this time, if that is still wanted by the committee. I had thought that maybe for the auction, we could see if each class could come up with one auction item (good, silly memorable etc) also an entry into the parade. Dan K. has mentioned that maybe we could hold this event during this time instead of June. Let me know if anyone has any good or great ideas.
Gala days started as a fund raiser for the Swimming Pool back in 1986 when a member of the city council thought we should close the pool. In the past 23 years, we have raised at least $75,000 which have been spent on pool renovations, filter systems, pump, pool blankets, cement pool deck, etc. Just the pool house renovations came to over $40,000. (approx 8-10 years ago) o.k. enough of my passion, any ideas, would be glad to hear them. Teri Iverson

Barb Johannsen

I think this entire re-union with all the IT web sites and links are great. I haven't been so excited to go to Sunburst for quite a while. Who said getting old sucks forgot about all the good memories of old friends that those youngsters haven't had a chance to get. The committee members are the bomb. Thank you so much. I am looking forward to chatting to people in person.

Barb Johannsen '77

Kathy Gottfried Johnson

Hey Julie;
I remember that walk from Milk River to Sunburst. I was either the last one to come in or second to the last. The sirens blew for us stragglers. It was great. I think a walk would be great. Like Mary Ann said BEN GAY will be my friend, but I'll be rearin' to go.

I also like the idea of a talent show. We have so much talent in our former student body. Having a choir would be awesome too. (Just a thought).

Glad to see this site, I've caught up with so many people including relatives. I love it.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Kathy Gottfried Johnson

Lisa Klingler Cross

Hey just a thought from a few people I have talked to. What about adding the allied employees on this site. Bus drivers, cooks, janitors, etc. I know these people saw students every day and may want to be able to access the site too. I know I gave my mom (Roberta Klingler, bus driver) my log in information so that she could see what her past bus riders were doing. Its a great site, we should include everyone!

Kathleen Vasboe Hardy

Hello to all the planners for the reunion.
First of all, you have put together an awsome web site and so easy to use. Thanks

I have run across and on line site that might help to give some reunion ideas. It is www.reunionsmag.com. I have not checked it out but it may be quite useful. Thanks again for all your time and effort in this project. Kathleen Vasboe Hardy, 60. Go refiners.

Lynne Higinbotham Wallace

OK, now I am feeling really old. My class was the first class to be in the new High School as Freshmen. And a run to Milk River??? I might make it up to the S.. or do you still have the Freshmen paint it every year?? We had 6 man Football and then some of the football players had to run to the side and play with the Pep band... There's a pool?? We used to get to go to Shelby to the pool a couple of times in the summer .. Mr. Haines would drive the bus... but I agree with the memories being priceless.. Back in the day we had to include the whole town (probably the whole county) at the Prom so we could afford the band.. So know that many in the Community would enjoy this website..
We were lucky to have teachers who cared about us and a community that supported sports and our great Band. We used to have a lot of fun riding the schoolbus to the games and the band contest in Havre. And the trips to the Portland Rose Festival were a lot of fun.. For a small school we really did get to do a lot. So what if we had to walk to school in the snow,uphill, both ways...

Sounds like the Reunion organizers have lots of good ideas. Is there a Motel there now? Or should we get Motel in Shelby? When I moved there in 1951 we stayed in the Northern Hotel run by the Byfields. is it still there? I know our house is no longer there. We moved in 1955 and couldn't imagine how lonesome it was for everyone after the Refinery moved everyone to Washington. What is the population now? We have moved all over world with oilfield and run into people in oilpatch who have worked in Cut Bank fields.. And always told our kids.. look at the coldest spot on the TV weather news.. Cut Bank, Montana. Well, kids, we lived NORTH of Cut Bank so you can imagine how cold it was there. We left Sunburst on May 17, 1955, IN a SNOWSTORM... Lots of Memories still... Lynne Higinbotham Wallace

Eldon Robison

DAN AND ALL, THANK YOU FOR A GREAT SITE AND GATHERING PLACE. I HAVE HEARD FROM SO MANY CLASSMATES IT HAS BEEN GREAT. JUST A THOUGHT, SINCE A LOT OF US HAVE BEEN A WAY FOR A WHILE, IF THERE WAS SOME WAY OF LISTING SOME HOTEL/MOTELS IN THE AREA WHERE WE CAN MAKE SOME RESERVATIONS OR IF WE COULD BLOCK A GROUP OF ROOMS FOR ATTENDEE'S IT WOULD HELP.

THANKS AGAIN, ELDON ROBISON (73)

Teri Lee Iverson

Hey, start thinking about "old, unusual, high interest items (you know, somebody maybe has old uniform, or something school related)" to put into an auction. Anybody remember taking a bicycle to school (way back when) and then not remember taking it home???? It will probably be in the auction, so if it is yours, give us some history. Twas found under the stage, I believe it has been there since I came here in the 70's , so at least that "old". Bring your money, you antique collectors, for I believe that it is from 50-60's.

Michelle Horgus Line

Good to see everyone excited!!! Hey Kathy Gottfried! Remember your cousin? Haven't seen u forever!

Michelle Horgus Line

This IS a great site!!! Lots of work and thank u to those who have put it together.

I took my sons Hunter (10) and Bridger (8) to see the school. They couldn't quite wrap their head around "Refiners" funny.

So many changes...I don't know if the port would even let us across the way it is these days. I don't remember the Milk River walk . . . I think I remember my sister Gayle coming home with blisters, though. I remember going to Canada and just getting waved through...now I have to go across the port just to see my neighbors across the road. Crazy!!!

Lynne Marshall Neer

I would also like to thank those who have taken the time and effort toward organizing this next reunion. The web site is a great tool. My suggestion is to somehow make name tags that include a picture from high school to better enable us to recognize each other.

Julie Guszregan Buchman

Has there been a date established yet? I see the "Places to Stay" tab, so I'm wondering if a date has been set.

Henry Murray

Hey guys glad to see things are going well in getting this together. Could you let me know the closest rv hook up or where a guy can park his trailer. Hopefully there is some place in Sunburst to stay. Look forward to your reply. Keep up the good work and we will see you next July.

Henry

Tom Faulkner

I am looking foward to the reunion i had to work every year then retired .wife got cancer so i mist the last one but will be their next year. I love the web site it is fun to see old friends

Robin Stotts McReynolds

This will be a day or two to remember! Summurizing my teenager years in a reunion will prove to be the best memories of all! I am anxious to see all the past faces all grown up and try like the dickens to remember who the heck they are now because of the changes that life has brought to us. Have fun every one and I really hope to see you there.
P.S. Thank you for those whom created this website, I really enjoy reading the profiles of those that I remember going to school with. Very nice job!
Robin McReynolds (Stotts)

Gordon Polinkus

Reading some of the comments from classmates bring back lots of great memories of school days in our little town. One that really jumps out at me is from Fritz Gottfried and his words about Dwight Billedeaux. The words from Fritz are right on! The man had a great talent for not only teaching but understanding each student as a seperate person. If he had favorites, and I'm sure he must have, he never showed it. Somthing that still stands out for me is when He got a group of us together and directed a short version of The Shooting of Dan McGrew. This was close to 60 years ago but I still remember the fun we had doing it and the way Mr. Billedeaux led us. I was the old miner, Ken Nelson was the narrator and memory does not allow me to recall all who played a part, if anyone recalls anything more about it please reply.thanks

Peggy Guszregan Seidensticker

I have a few ideas rolling around about "what to do" while in Sunburst for the reunion.
1) Would it be possible to landscape a Prairie Par 3 Course out in a grain field? It wouldn't have to be perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but the tee off and hole would need a little trimming and landscaping. Perhaps not 9 holes but maybe 5 holes. One each of 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 yard holes. It has the makings of a real goofy game of golf.
2) The Walk-A-Thon from Sunburst to Sweetgrass might work if classes are divided into 5 year increments such 70 to 75, 75 to 80, 80 to 85 etc., and make it a marathon of bicycling, walking, running and swimming? Maybe even golfing! Is there still a swimming pool in Sunburst?
3) I know this is silly, but a scavenger hunt would be hilarious. Each year coming up with it's own memorabilia. This could possibly be started prior to the reunion. Say each class has to find before they come an album from their graduation year, popular clothing, etc. I would have to think on this awhie to compile a list of things.
4) Do we have anyone in all these classes that has a band so we can have some live music?
5) I don't know if Bernice Paisley will appreciate this as I will need to pick her brain, but what about a cabaret dance like we used to have in Sunburst in the elementary school gym. What a hoot that memory is!
Last but not least - I believe that this large group of people has the ability to leave a lasting legacy during this reunion. What if we pass the hat so to speak and collect what we can to establish a scholarship fund for North Toole County High School. It could be that the monies would be substantial enough to invest them and offer a scholarship just off the interest and leave the principle to grow.
Again, these are just mere thoughts and ideas, but I am getting so darned excited about this reunion. Peggy Guszregan Seidensticker

Teri Lee Iverson

Hey Peggy,
Just read your post, and you have some great ideas, and fun ones at that. I especially like the idea of a caberet. We still do that for the little kids, but what fun it would be to set up games like that for a quarter apiece or whatever just like then, play duck pond, pie in the face as we do now. It is actually coming up soon. We do still have the swimming pool, and there should be an auction at that time with funds going to upkeep of the pool. I have already gotton some old cheerleader uniforms, band uniforms, ffa jackets etc. Possibly a couble football helmets etc. More later.

Tracy Johannsen

Now you guys are going to force me to go through my Mom's closets for old high school memorabilia for a scavenger hunt....Bev will still have it, I'm sure...
Can't wait to see you all.
I so hope Bernice Paisley will come. She stills plays piano for the retirees in Shelby so I'm hoping she'll give us another try at "O Johnny, O Johnny, O"...I still remember all the words....

Korey Fauque

Hey Kari,

We will have tents setup downtown for each decade, with tables and chairs under them, for people to sit around and talk and play cards or other games if they would like to. We will also look into have bingo or something similar as well.

Thanks to all or you for your ideas!!!

Mark Haugen

Ok, I've decided to crash the party. I hope nobody objects. I didn't graduate with my class (74) (moved to Lewistown in 72) but I did go to school with a lot of them for 7 years. I'm excited about catching up with folks I haven't seen in 38 years. Should be fun.

Linda Shipley Odom

Linda Shipley Odom

I didn't graduate with my class of 62 either but I am trying to get up enough courage to fly up for this. I have always wanted to come back and see everyone.
I live in Houston, Texas so it is a long flight and I am a coward but am still considering it and trying to get Evelyn Roll from Anacortes, Washington to meet me there. She still has relatives in Sunburst and out of Sweetgrass.

Teri Lee Iverson

OK!!! So the Gala Days 2010 parade is on!! A theme of "ONCE A REFINER, ALWAYS A REFINER" and we hope that all classes will come up with something, and even if it is just walking and carrying a sign with your graduating year and those in your class walking with you. There are to be a bunch of cars, as they have planned a car show, and who knows what else... Danny Companian????
Lets see if we can get some fun and good ideas, some floats (I know most of you are going to be traveling, but maybe you can come up withsomething after getting here and talking to your friends....more fun the better. THERE WILL BE AN AUCTION...THE MORE ITEMS THE MERRIER...ALL FUNDS MADE FROM THE AUCTION AND THE RAFFLE GO TO THE SWIMMING POOL FUN FOR REPAIRS AND UPKEEP.
We also will be having a raffle, with the funds to go to the swimming pool...idea not yet firmed up, but will keep you posted..it might be something fun and big, or maybe just a 50/50...which isn't quite right, because what we usually do is 50% goes to the pool, and we divide the other half into 5 cash prizes.... so a 50-10-10-10-10-10-...... Still looking into prizes et. BUT the raffle and the parade are a GO SO PLEASE THINK OF SOMETHING TO PUT INTO THE PARADE.

Teri Lee Iverson

Ok!  The raffle will be many different items (Approx. $3000 worth) and $20 a ticket. You may put your ticket into any bucket corresponding to the item that you wish your  ticket to be on.  Then you are only in the drawing of your choice.  All items will be worth more than $20.  At the end of those drawings, we will put ALL names in one bucket, for a final larger prize drawing of one winner!  The auction will probably be a silent auction....depending on what items we can get donated or puchased.

This pool project has goneon for many years, and now we are looking at funding a new sprayed on pool liner, so we are in the fund raising mode again.  I love this project...... I love having a pool for our  kids.  Thanks for all the help from everyone that has or will help.  Thank you!

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Joe White

Howdy Refiners!  I just read "In Memory" tributes to Jerry Svuem, Class of '72, and remembering him so inspired me that I began to reflect on many other fantastic friends from NTCHS.  I think we might consider establishing an "NTCHS Hall of Fame" to recognize outstanding students, teachers, administrators, whatever.  The hard part, for me, is that I consider all our gang pretty darn special.  Still, I want to put this idea out there for consideration.  We can reflect on all aspects, athletic, academic, all-around-good-guy/girl, lifetime achievments, or whatever.  And, it should include those still living as well.  What say you?